THE parents of two girls killed by a train on a level crossing that had been wrongly declared safe yesterday called for rail chiefs to be prosecuted.

Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and friend Charlotte Thompson, 13, died after opening a pedestrian gate and stepping into the path of a 70mph express.

An inquest yesterday heard the crossing passed an inspection seven months earlier. But a second test days after the tragedy ruled it was among the most dangerous in the UK - almost bad enough to be shut on safety grounds.

Olivia's dad Chris, 58, speaking after the inquest jury returned an accidental death verdict, said: "Network Rail have failed in their risk assessments. The authorities should look and see if there is a case for criminal prosecution. Network Rail's management failed and they should be brought to account for it."

Charlotte's father Reg, 49, added: "There is a litany of mistakes, incompetence and possible negligence."

The Chelmsford inquest heard Olivia and Charlotte had waited by a pedestrian gate at Elsenham station, Essex, as the train they were planning to catch pulled in.

They then opened the gate despite flashing red lights and a siren - because they assumed the warnings were for the train that was in the station.

Network Rail manager Gary Ruff told the hearing he had been "unhappy" about the crossing's layout.